Saturday, November 12, 2011

Colourful autumn of Imperial Palace @ Tokyo

The current Imperial Palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family. In my opinion, during autumn, this palace surrounding is very beautiful and you can see many marathon runners are practising running around the palace. Cool weather, proper running path and good view, makes this place a perfect place for long distance running training.

Very nice view from Tokyo Metro station to the palace.
Colourful buildings in Tokyo.

Edo Castle used to be the seat of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 until 1867. In 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and the country's capital and Imperial Residence were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. In 1888 construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed. The palace was once destroyed during World War Two, and rebuilt in the same style, afterwards.

A lot of these bonsai looking trees.

From Kokyo Gaien, the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

Nijubashi bridge.

The palace buildings and inner gardens are not open to the public. Only on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and December 23 (Emperor's Birthday), visitors are able to enter the inner palace grounds and see the members of the Imperial Family, who make several public appearances on a balcony.

You can't see the real palace building as it is surrounded by rock fortress.
See the road beside the path (left), its so perfect clean and don't have any rubbish or hole on it.
People are running for fitness while I am walking and enjoying the view.
The palace is surrounded by lake. Its hard for someone who have bad intention to cross over then climb the hills plus fortress.
One of the public garden.
I still manage to capture some sakura.
Palace garden.
Me with the palace garden.
On the way to the Imperial Palace. First time seeing real swan.